More than 150,000 people have a limb amputated every year. Some lose a limb after a devastating crush injury or burn, while others lose limbs due to medical conditions like diabetes. Limb loss is often psychologically devastating, with many people struggling with depression or anxiety following the loss.
One concern is whether you can receive SSDI benefits for an amputation. Losing a hand, arm, leg or foot certainly makes working much more challenging. SSDI benefits can provide an important source of financial support to someone struggling to earn a living. Whether you can receive SSDI benefits is complicated. You will need to meet all eligibility requirements, so call ourArkansas SSDI benefits lawyer today.
Your Disability Must Be Sufficiently Severe
Typically, to receive benefits, an applicant must have a disability listed in SSA’s Blue Book. That means the Social Security Administration believes it is sufficiently serious.Listing 1.20 is the relevant one for amputations. You must meet the if you have any of the following:
- Amputation of both arms up to the shoulder;
- Pelvic amputation;
- Hip amputation (disarticulation);
- Amputation of one arm and one leg, along with medical documentation of a need for wheelchair/crutches or an assistive device;
- Amputation of one or both legs with complications expected to last for at least a year, along with medical documentation of an ability to use a prosthetic and a wheelchair or walker.
As you can see, some amputations require additional proof that you can’t get around with a wheelchair or crutches and/or use assistive devices. By contrast, losing both arms or having a hip or pelvic amputation is considered sufficiently severe by itself. Our firm can review your medical records to help you determine whether you are eligible.
Residual Functional Capacity & Amputation
You might have had other amputations, such as losing your hand or foot. These aren’t listed in 1.02. Nonetheless, you might be able to win disability benefits if you can show your loss limits your ability to perform any of your previous jobs, as well as other jobs SSA thinks you might transition into.
Your Residual Functional Capacity (RFC) takes into consideration your physical limitations and all medical conditions, including the mental effects. Someone who has lost their dominant hand, for example, could have trouble writing or lifting even 5 pounds. Those limitations impact your RFC because they can make performing any other job too difficult.
Our legal team will gather all relevant information related to your Residual Functional Capacity. For example, statements from family and friends are helpful. They might describe how your amputation has affected your mental state, such as increased frustration or inability to focus, which will also make it hard to work.
Call Gallo, Cazort and Co. Today for a Free Consultation
Our firm excels at proving that our clients deserve disability benefits. Let us get to work on your case right away. We have helped hundreds of people through the SSDI claims process, and we can use our knowledge to your benefit. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation with a member of our team. We can help those preparing to submit their initial application or those who have already received a denial notice from SSA.